The 'Dune: Part Two' Cast Is Full of Familiar Faces

DUNE: PART TWO is slated to be one of the biggest movies of 2024. Audiences may not have all read Frank Herbert's doorstopper of a novel, but director Denis Villeneuve's Dune (not to be confused with the David Lynch-helmed adaptation from the '80s) loved the sweeping sci-fi epic. At the Academy Awards, the film won six Oscars, and even got a nomination for Best Picture. And if you thought Dune was big, Dune: Part Two is only bigger.

Early reviews of the film are out, and they're glowing. The New York Times, Slate, and others praise the actors, the visuals, and the direction. Sci-fi may not win everyone over, but Dune and its sequel sound like they manage to turn even the unsure into mesmerized fans.

Those who enjoyed the first film have much to look forward to. Dune: Part Two will cover the second half of Herbert's first novel (which is arguably the best), increasing the role of Zendaya, who we only saw at the very beginning and also at the tail end of the first film. We'll also see Florence Pugh appear as the Emperor's daughter, and Austin Butler, who will appear as one of Paul's main antagonists.

For anyone who hasn't read the book, all the strange terms and world-building are probably overwhelming. And the addition of new characters may make someone's head spin. To make it a bit easier, we've made a handy guide to all the characters in Dune: Part Two–relatively spoiler-free, of course–so you can get everyone right in your head before you sit down to watch the film.

Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides

Chalamet reprises his role as Paul Atreides. In Dune, Paul and his mother were nearly assassinated, then exiled on the planet Arrakis. They're taken in by a native tribe called the Fremen, of whom Paul decides to join.

Zendaya as Chani

Chani briefly appeared in Dune, but will play a far bigger role in the second film. As Paul's love interest, Chani must handle her feelings for him while grappling with political aspirations, which threaten to draw the two apart.

Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica

Ferguson plays Jessica, Paul's mother. She's part of a secretive organization known as the Bene Gesserit (members of which have magic powers). Jessica's main goals are to keep her son safe, while also ensuring her own power within the Bene Gesserit.

Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck

Gurney also appeared in Dune and served as one of Leto Atreides's (Paul's late father) aides. During the Harkonnen attack on the Atreides, Gurney manages to survive. Dune: Part Two will see him return to Paul and Jessica after their separation.

Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha

One of the main antagonists in the first book, Feyd-Rautha is the nephew of Baron Harkonnen. He's the presumed heir of the House Harkonnen, and to prove his merit, he eventually goes head to head against Paul.

Florench Pugh as Princess Irulan

Princess Irulan is the Emperor's daughter. She'll make her first appearance in Dune: Part Two, where she'll have a pivotal role in Paul's political machinations.

Dave Bautista as Beast Rabban

We first saw Beast Rabban in Dune, as he's one of Baron Harkonnen's nephews. He'll likely serve an important role in the second film as well, since we'll see more of Baron Harkonnen's plans to gain power.

Christopher Walken as Shaddam IV

Walken stars as the Emperor of the Known Universe. While we didn't see him in the first film, his presence is felt in the orders he gives to Leto Atreides to take control over Arrakis, spurring a deceptive moment between the Emperor and Baron Harkonnen when Leto is assassinated. We'll finally put a face to the name in Dune: Part Two.

Léa Seydoux as Lady Margaret Fenring

We get to meet another member of the Bene Gesserit when Lady Margaret Fenring appears in Dune: Part Two. Married to Count Hasimir Fenring, she serves as a close friend of the Emperor.

Souheila Yacoub as Shishakli

Shishakli is a minor character who aids Paul at a major point in his time with the Fremen. We shouldn't say too much about the moment–it'll be fun to see on film–but the Shishkali gives Paul important tools to achieve his Fremen goals.

Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Harkonnen

Returning as the film's main antagonist, Skarsgård plays the diabolical Baron Harkonnen, who staged a coup against the House Atreides. It resulted in the capture and death of Leto, and the exile of Paul and Jessica. We'll see much more of him in Dune: Part Two, when he orders his nephews to do his bidding.

Charlotte Rampling as Gaius Helen Mohiam

Helen is a Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother, one of the most powerful members of the organization. In the first film, she tests Paul's mental and physical fortitude, and finds him worthy. She also serves as an aid to the Emperor. In Dune: Part Two, we'll likely see her continue to advise Jessica, pushing her to subtly impact events in favor of the sisterhood's goals.

Javier Bardem as Stilgar

Leader of the Fremen tribe Paul and Jessica encounter on Arrakis, Stilgar will continue to mentor Paul, helping him gain power among both the tribe and the greater planet.

Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides

While there was some speculation and mystery around her role in the film, Taylor-Joy will appear in Dune: Part Two as Alia, Paul's yet-to-be-born sister. While we may not see much of her in this upcoming film, she'll later prove to have major implications for Paul, Jessica, and Arrakis.

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